Chapter 3
Daniel’s blood turned cold.
“You can’t take my daughter.”
Marcus smiled.
“No, but the state can.”
“What did you do?”
“You should ask your loyal nanny.”
Elena stepped into view.
Marcus’s smile widened.
“There she is.”
Elena stared at the screen.
“I’ve never met you.”
“That doesn’t matter. By tomorrow morning, everyone will believe you helped Daniel abuse his daughter.”
Lily whimpered.
Daniel closed the office door so she could not hear more.
Elena stayed beside him.
Marcus lifted several photographs.
They showed bruises on a child’s arms.
Daniel couldn’t see the child’s face.
“We have medical records, pictures, and statements,” Marcus said. “All carrying Lily’s name.”
“They’re fake.”
“Can you prove that before child services removes her?”
Daniel gripped the desk.
“What do you want?”
“Vanessa released. All charges dropped. Then you will sign the company shares listed in the trust over to her.”
“That will never happen.”
Marcus picked up the yellow envelope.
“Then Lily spends tomorrow night with strangers.”
The screen went black.
Daniel called his lawyer, Rachel Kim.
She arrived within an hour.
After reviewing the video and bank records, Rachel spoke quietly.
“Vanessa may be more dangerous than we realized.”
“Can Marcus really use those files?”
“He can make an accusation. If the records appear credible, child services may investigate immediately.”
Daniel looked toward the living room.
Lily was asleep with her head in Elena’s lap.
“I won’t let anyone take her.”
“Then we need the original trust documents and proof that the medical files are false.”
Elena stood.
“I may know why Vanessa chose me.”
Daniel looked at her.
Elena opened her wallet and removed a faded photograph.
It showed her beside a younger woman with the same dark eyes.
“This was my sister, Sofia.”
Daniel had heard the name before.
Sofia had died four years earlier in a car accident.
“What does she have to do with Vanessa?”
“Sofia worked for a private medical clinic,” Elena said. “A few months before she died, she told me the clinic was changing patient records for wealthy clients.”
Rachel leaned forward.
“What was the clinic called?”
“Brightwell Family Health.”
Daniel searched the name.
The clinic listed one of its directors as Dr. Marcus Reed.
Vanessa’s brother.
Elena covered her mouth.
“I never knew.”
“What happened before Sofia’s accident?” Rachel asked.
“She called me. She said she had copied evidence. She wanted to go to the police.”
“Did she give it to you?”
“No. She died that night.”
Daniel felt the room close around him.
“You think Marcus caused the accident?”
“I don’t know. But Vanessa once asked me about Sofia. She pretended it was casual.”
Rachel’s phone rang.
She answered, listened, and frowned.
“That was the police. Vanessa posted bail.”
“How?” Daniel demanded.
“The bracelet accusation is collapsing, but the financial investigation is just beginning. She hasn’t been formally charged with the transfer yet.”
A heavy knock struck the front door.
Three social workers stood outside with two police officers.
One woman showed Daniel an emergency order.
“We received a report that Lily may be in danger.”
“This is based on false records,” Daniel said.
“We still have to examine her and interview everyone.”
Lily woke and began crying.
“Daddy, don’t let them take me.”
Daniel held her.
“No one is taking you.”
The social worker looked at Elena.
“You’re Elena Ruiz?”
“Yes.”
“We received a second allegation claiming you have used physical punishment against Lily.”
“That is a lie.”
Lily wrapped her arms around Elena.
“She never hurts me!”
The worker softened, but she did not leave.
“We need to speak with Lily privately.”
Daniel called Rachel into the hallway.
“Stop this.”
“I’m trying, but fighting the order here could make you look uncooperative.”
Elena knelt before Lily.
“Tell them the truth. I’ll be right outside.”
The interview lasted twenty minutes.
Every minute felt endless.
When the door finally opened, Lily ran into Daniel’s arms.
The social worker looked troubled.
“She says Vanessa frightened her and forced her to repeat lies about Elena.”
Daniel exhaled.
“Then you understand.”
“I understand that this situation is complicated. Lily can remain here tonight, but Elena cannot supervise her until our investigation is complete.”
Elena’s eyes filled with pain.
Lily began screaming.
“No! Elena stays!”
“I’m sorry,” the worker said. “If she refuses to leave, Lily may be placed in temporary care.”
Elena kissed Lily’s forehead.
“I’ll go.”
Daniel followed her to the door.
“I’ll fix this.”
Elena stepped outside with tears running down her face.
A black car waited across the street.
Its headlights turned on.
Before Daniel could warn her, the car raced forward.
Elena jumped aside.
The vehicle struck the mailbox and sped away.
On the broken post, someone had left a photograph of Sofia.
May you like
Across her face, one word had been written in red.
SILENCE.
